Occipital Headache in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different occipital headache patterns according to TCM theory

Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice

Condition Categories

Headaches
4
TCM Patterns
25
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 4 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each occipital headache pattern
Classical remedies 25 herbal formulas documented

In TCM, occipital headaches are not seen as isolated symptoms but as signals of an underlying imbalance. The holistic approach of TCM aims to identify the root cause or 'pattern' of disharmony causing the headache. Recognizing the correct pattern is vital, as it guides the personalized treatment plan, focusing on restoring harmony and balance within the body.

TCM Patterns for Occipital Headache

Wind

Causes sudden symptoms, movement disorders, and serves as the vehicle for other pathogens

Causes: Occipital headaches

3 variations documented
Onset Sudden
Location Often upper body/exterior
Features Rapid onset • Moving/migrating symptoms • Itching • Symptoms change location

Wind is the predominant pathogenic factor of spring in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is considered the leader of the six external pathogens. Wind is described as "the leader of the hundred diseases" (百病之长), serving as the primary factor in external pathogenic invasions. Wind represents a pathogen characterized by constant movement, changeability, and a tendency to affect the upper and outer portions of the body.

Greater Yang Attack of Wind
How it presents with occipital headache

Occipital headaches

Along with: Slight aversion to cold, Wind phobia, Low grade fever, Mild sweating, Stiff neck, Sneezing,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Wind-Cold
How it presents with occipital headache

Occipital headaches

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache,

Wind-Heat
How it presents with occipital headache

Occipital headaches

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness,

Cold

Congeals body fluids, damages Yang Qi, and causes pain with fixed location

Causes: Occipital headaches

2 variations documented
Onset Sudden
Location Can be local or systemic
Features Aversion to cold • Prefers warmth • Pain relieved by heat • Tight/contracted feeling

Cold is the predominant pathogenic factor of winter in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Cold represents an environmental pathogen that, when excessive, causes disease characterized by its cold, congealing, and contracting nature. While Cold is the main pathogen of winter, it can cause illness in any season through exposure to cold temperatures, getting caught in rain, sweating followed by wind exposure, or excessive air conditioning.

Greater Yang Attack of Cold
How it presents with occipital headache

Occipital headaches

Along with: Occipital headache, Aversion to cold, Low grade fever, Lack of sweating, Stiff neck, Sneezing,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Wind-Cold
How it presents with occipital headache

Occipital headaches

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache,

Yin Deficiency

Depletion of cooling, moistening fluids causing dryness, false heat rising, and restless agitation throughout the body

Causes: Occipital headaches

1 variation documented
Onset Gradual
Location Systemic
Features Night sweats • Dry mouth/throat • Heat in afternoon/evening • Malar flush

Yin Deficiency represents a fundamental pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine where the body's yin fluids - blood, essence, and body fluids - become depleted, losing their ability to cool, moisten, and anchor the yang energy, resulting in relative hyperactivity of yang and internal heat manifestations.

Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it presents with occipital headache

Occipital headaches

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache,

Heat

Intense, ascending pathogenic force that consumes body fluids, disturbs the mind, and accelerates all physiological processes

Causes: Occipital headaches

1 variation documented
Onset Can be sudden
Location Can be local or systemic
Features Red face/eyes • Thirst for cold drinks • Restlessness • Yellow/dark secretions

Heat is a major pathogenic factor in Traditional Chinese Medicine that can arise from external invasion or internal generation. Heat has the characteristics of burning intensity, rising upward, consuming qi and fluids, and generating wind and disturbing blood. In TCM philosophy, normal physiological warmth is called "minor fire" (少火) which maintains life functions, while pathological heat is "major fire" (壮火) which damages the body.

Wind-Heat
How it presents with occipital headache

Occipital headaches

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness,

Herbal Formulas for Occipital Headache

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address occipital headache

Cong Chi Tang

Addresses these occipital headache patterns:

Wind Cold Heat

Huo Ren Cong Shi Tang

Addresses these occipital headache patterns:

Wind Cold Heat

Ma Huang Tang

Addresses these occipital headache patterns:

Cold Wind

Bing Peng San

Addresses these occipital headache patterns:

Wind Heat

Fang Feng Tong Sheng San

Addresses these occipital headache patterns:

Wind Heat

Gui Zhi Tang

Addresses these occipital headache patterns:

Wind

Jia Wei Xiang Su San

Addresses these occipital headache patterns:

Wind Cold

Jin Fei Cao San

Addresses these occipital headache patterns:

Wind Cold

Jing Fang Bai Du San

Addresses these occipital headache patterns:

Wind Cold